Super Long Job/Work Search Advice: Context and Practical Next Steps
I’m so glad you reached out! Job searching and freelancing can be tough, and while I don’t have an easy fix, I do have advice and insights as someone who’s been through the highs and lows of both.
Before diving into practical steps, I want to set the stage by addressing:
What’s happening in the design industry (from my POV)
The messed-up systems/dynamics we exist in as designers
What we can focus on, since we can’t really change the first two
This is written from the perspective of a designer with five years of experience, speaking to a younger designer about the things I wish I had known seven years ago. (I graduated in 2017 but didn’t seriously start freelancing until five years ago.) If you’re more experienced, take what resonates!
Disclaimer: This is all my opinion based on my experiences. Take what works for you, and apply it with your own judgment. Any external links are the opinions of their respective authors.
What We Can’t Change
How We Got Here: The Past
I’m writing this as a designer focused on branding and illustration, with five years of freelance/business experience and six months in corporate design/marketing. I landed my first full-time corporate design role in August 2024 after a serious job search from January to August. Before that, I had been searching sporadically since graduating in 2017, but my lack of confidence and unclear career direction held me back.
The current job market is shaped by past industry trends. I won’t go all the way back, but let’s start at 2008.
Designers who were working during the 2008 financial crisis have told me how design and marketing jobs disappeared. Senior designers were laid off and forced to accept significantly lower salaries just to stay employed. But when the economy recovered, companies didn’t adjust salaries back up. That’s how we ended up here.
What’s Happening Now
When I talk about “companies,” I mean some companies—a lot of them, but not all.
Since around 2021-2022, as post-COVID budgets tightened, marketing and design positions have been slashed. I remember graduating in 2017 and seeing friends land stable creative jobs in animation. But by 2022, even California’s animation industry—once considered a gold standard—suffered massive layoffs. The same happened in tech. Companies boasting record profits laid off workers, only to repost the same jobs with lower salaries.
Meanwhile, the employees who remain are being pressured to take on two to three workloads, leading to burnout.
Some see this as a correction from the Great Resignation of 2020, while others blame shrinking budgets and limited company borrowing. I call it corporate greed, but that’s just me.
‘Skills’-Inflation
Companies are trying to get the productivity of an entire team out of one person—or as few designers as possible.
Remember how companies took advantage of the 2008 recession to get top-tier talent for cheap? We’re seeing that again. Companies are demanding a ridiculous range of skills from “entry-level” designers while offering junior salaries.
Here’s a typical job posting:
Entry-Level Designer Position Available
We want a graphic design ninja rockstar powerhouse who thrives in a family environment and can s*** out rainbows.
Ideal Skills:
Graphic Design
Photography
Photo Manipulation
Videography
Illustration
Social Media Management
Social Media Content Creation
Social Media Analytics
SEO
Tax Preparation
Rocket Science
At this point, that’s at least nine different roles.
What’s actually happening?
Companies are either holding out for a mythical “unicorn” who can do all these things for cheap, or
They eventually settle for someone who specializes in one or two of these skills and adjust accordingly.
The problem? True unicorns with mastery in multiple disciplines don’t exist at junior salary levels. To become highly skilled in that many areas takes years of real-world experience—at which point, they should be earning senior or director-level salaries.
What We Can Change/Focus On
How to Approach the Job/Work Search
The hiring market is weird right now, but here’s how you can position yourself strategically:
Focus on a core discipline. If you’re primarily a designer, lean into that. Secondary skills (illustration, video, etc.) can be assets, but don’t let companies convince you that you need to be a one-person creative agency for entry-level pay.
Showcase projects that match the jobs you want. If a company is hiring for a branding-focused role, highlight branding work—not just general design.
Avoid job postings that demand everything under the sun. They often signal unrealistic expectations and burnout.
Network with designers at companies you admire. Many jobs never even make it to public listings.
Optimize your application process. Generic applications don’t stand out. Customize resumes and portfolios for each job type.
Don’t get discouraged by ghosting. Unfortunately, it’s common. Keep applying, networking, and refining your approach.
Potential Next Steps to Consider
Leverage LinkedIn. Engage with industry conversations. Comment on posts, share insights, and connect with professionals in your field.
Look into contract work. If full-time roles are scarce, contracts can keep you employed while expanding your portfolio.
Refine your portfolio and website. Tailor it to the work you actually want to do.
Stay adaptable. The job market will keep shifting. The more you can anticipate trends and adjust accordingly, the better.
Final Thoughts
I know this all sounds frustrating, and trust me—I’ve been there. But while we can’t fix the system overnight, we can control how we navigate it. Keep building your skills, refining your approach, and connecting with the right people. The right opportunity will come, even in a messed-up market.
You’ve got this. 💪